Big meals are the enemy!

Being born and raised in the south, I realize that most special occasions and almost every Sunday revolves around a big meal.  That is just a part of southern life.  The worst part is that nine times out of 10, the food is incredibly fattening and unhealthy.  While it may taste absolutely incredible, it is more than likely not good for you.  For someone on a diet or who is trying to eat a healthy lifestyle, meals like this can be a tricky situation.  You are hungry, you want to eat the food and you don’t want to offend anyone.  However, you do want to be smart and not ruin all of the hard work you’ve put into yourself.  Or like me, who the thought of all of that unhealthy food honestly makes me sick to my stomach. 

Now that I reside in the deep south, this issue of “meals” unfortunately has arisen more often than I would like.  It is just plain hard to eat healthy down here!  It sure has been a task, but one that I feel like I finally have control over.  It hasn’t been easy and comments have been made, however, I finally also have learned to let those roll off of my shoulder.

So, what have I done?  What do you do in a situation where there are only unhealthy choices?  There are a few options.  One- first and foremost, I never go anywhere without a fiber one bar.  It may sound crazy, but they are easy to throw in your purse, only 2 points (old WW – 3 points for WW+).  They keep you full and are great for breakfast.  Second, I drink lots and lots of water- it keeps you full.  Third, the meal.  I always try to glance around and see what all is on the table.  (If you can- offer to bring a healthy side or entrée – then you will at least know what is in that meal).  From there, I gage what I think I want and what will do the least damage.  If there are veggies- fill up on these.  I try to only take small portions (and I mean VERY small) of the foods I want to eat.  I also try to eat slowly and enjoy each bite.  There is no need to rush.  Foods that I really like (i.e. mashed potatoes) I limit myself to a portion the size of my fist.  It is just easier to practice portion control.  Otherwise I will stuff myself and end up getting sick. 

At these meals, usually dessert is offered.  I try to avoid dessert at all costs because sweets are my main weakness.  If I want any- I will just take a bite of my husband’s because he will only share one or two bites.  Otherwise, I just stick with fruit (if offered) or a cup of coffee.  I’ve had many of hostesses try to “push” dessert on me – very simple reply- oh I am just too full right now.  It usually works.  If other food is pushed on you- there is no harm in putting it on your plate- you don’t have to eat it. 

Ultimately, it all comes down to being smart.  There are going to be situations in where you cannot control what is on your plate.  However, you can control how much of it you put into your body.  So chose wisely and don’t overeat.

And for the food pushers- just keep affirming to them that you are full or ask if they can give you some to go.  They will usually love this idea.

And if anyone makes a comment that is negative or asks why you are being "picky", I believe in honesty.  I truly do.  I will easily say, I like to eat healthy and this is what I am trying to do.  Its not hard.  Don't let it offend you- more than likely they wish they had the same will power you do.

Cravings... the devil in disguise!

Being a female, there is always one problem standing in the way of a diet – food cravings.  Why is it, especially during a certain time each month, that I want chocolate or something sweet?  Or why do I always crave something bad for me, something unhealthy that will easily undo all of the hard work I put in at the gym.  Why would I want to do something like that to myself?

During my entire weight loss/get healthy journey, I noticed myself giving into cravings as I had them.  Thankfully, the Weight Watcher system allows you some “cheat” room.  However, the more weight I lost and the more fit I became, I noticed a few different things happening to my body as I gave into the cravings.  Instead of enjoying the meal as I had in the past, it made me feel sick.  It hurt my stomach and my body felt sluggish.  I almost felt sick after eating.  It was just not a pleasant feeling and it has caused me to basically stop giving into any craving that would cause me to eat unhealthy food.  Why you may ask?  Because honestly I didn’t like the feeling it gave me.  I don’t like the idea of getting sick over what I put in my body and that was what happened.  My body was used to eating the right way and the choices of eating the wrong way – plain and simple – made me sick to my stomach.  So, do I stay away from these foods?  Yes.  It’s just that simple.  I love my body too much to make it sick!

So, what now?  Do you have to abandon all of the so-called “comfort” foods?  No, you don’t have to in the least.  My recommendation is, that if you want to eat something that is so-called unhealthy, just do it in moderation.  One slice of pizza will not hurt you.  Seven slices will.

The honestly neat part to me is that throughout this journey, my food cravings have changed.  While once in a blue moon, I’ll crave a cheese burger or Sour Patch Kids, I now find myself craving spinach and tangerines.  Yes, you may think I’m crazy, but it’s the truth.  My desires for bad food are not there any more.  There are still some temptations, but it is a HECK of a WHOLE LOT easier to say no.  It is even to a point that I can look at unhealthy food and it makes me sick to my stomach because I remember that bad feeling it gave me.  Yes, I do give in every now and then, but over the past two months, even Christmas time, I’ve noticed my body doesn’t want the bad stuff anymore- it craves the good stuff!!

What cravings do you struggle with?  How can you keep these under control??

Fitness Goals for 2011??

When I crossed the finish line of my first 5k last weekend, I finally completed one of the many fitness goals that I have wanted to achieve in my lifetime.  It was a small step and a small race, but I finished and that is what was important.

So, the next question in my mind becomes simple- what's next?  I've got several "challenges" that I want to see if I can conquer (and I know I will)- the question is- which one do I try first??

After working out tonight, Traci and I decided we would yet again conquer another 5k on February 12th- the Polar Bear Plunge.  With a cool name like that- how could we not compete?  That t-shirt is going to be awesome!

Another 5k, well that doesn't seem like much does it?  Well, while it is another huge race, I've decided to lay out a few more goals for myself to be completed for 2011... maybe then I will have the Jillian Michaels body??

After this 5k, I would like to compete in the Jubilee Cityfest 8k.  However, it might possibly conflict with the biggest challenge I have to date and something I've wanted to do since I can remember - a triathalon.  There is a triathalon on Memorial Day in Birmingham and I am going to do it.  It is a sprint triathalon, specifically designed for beginners and I'm just determined- I'm going to do it.  And I'm going to finish.  I know it is going to require a ton of training between now and May, but since I've made working out my hobby, I've got the time.  I'm pumped but super nervous!

On top of the triathalon, the other big fitness goal for myself is to compete in the Montgomery Half-Marathon in October.  I've always wanted to be someone that said - heck yes, I've run in a half marathon.  So you know what?  I'm going to put my feet where my words are.  Its a long race, but I don't see anything standing in my way.

So, I've set my fitness goals... what are yours?  What do you want to achieve in 2011?  It can be as small as getting yourself to the gym 3 days a week.  It might be taking on a full marathon.  It might be learning to swim.  It might be getting certified to teach zumba.

What are you waiting for?  Get going!

Now, how did I get here?

Before I post too many items on this page, I feel like I really need to talk about where I came from and how I got to be the healthy, fitness obsessed chick that I am.  It’s been a long road, but one that I feel was totally necessary in order to change my life for the better.  I’m not afraid to say I used to be fat.  Nor am I afraid to say- LOOK AT ME, I did it the RIGHT WAY and I am healthy and happy now!  I don’t want to make anyone feel bad about the size they are, I just want to help inspire people to get healthy and happy.  Everyone is beautiful; sometimes they just need some motivation to make themselves healthy as well.  

 

Growing up, I was always the chubby girl.  While I wasn’t obese, I was overweight.  My mom’s nickname for me as a child was “Fatty Face”… guess that’s where it all started!  I never really had a concern about my weight, but even as young as fifth and sixth grade, I knew I was bigger than the other girls and just felt chubby.  I wasn’t very popular; I was just the smart, fat girl that everyone got along with.  Even in middle school and high school, while very active on the golf, swim and soccer teams, I was still chubby. Heck, when I got straight A’s (which happened all but once) my parents rewarded me with guess what- not money, but a CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE!

Even in college, while popular and having a great time, I not only packed on the freshman fifteen- I think I may have added a freshman 30.  I loved food…and food was my comfort.  Any time I was upset, happy, or feeling anything, I wanted to eat.  My life revolved around what meal was next, despite the fact that I might not even be hungry at all. 

From college, I moved to life on the road as a NASCAR PR rep.  Don’t ever think to try to lose weight while traveling- it won’t happen.  Especially with Murdock as your cook- once again, those pounds crept on and my pants got tighter.  But did I really notice?  The sad part is yes, I did notice.  And because of that- I ate.  More.  And more.

While on the road, I met my adoring and wonderful husband Bud, who loved my curves and loved the fact I loved to eat even more.  He was incredible, I was in love, we got engaged… which meant I was happy… which meant- time to eat!  (Are you seeing the cycle here?)  Despite the fact my wedding was only six months away, I still managed to control my eating, yet somehow only dropped 3 pounds.  What bride doesn’t want to lose weight for her wedding day?  I wanted too, but all that tempting food at parties, showers and cake tastings was just too darn good to pass up.

So, I had the big white wedding, loved and stressed every second (which meant I ate more)… and was whisked away on a honeymoon. (where I gained 8 pounds!)  Needless to say, through all of this, while I was beautiful to my husband, I was starting to feel sick to myself.

Then one day in mid-July, as I went to put on a bikini, it hit me.  OMG, I look horrible.  How in the world had I let myself get this big?  I had rolls where I never though I could, dimples everywhere and I got out of breathe walking.  It was even painful in my knees to squat.  I wanted to have a breakdown and go eat, and eat, and eat some more. But instead, something in my head just clicked and BAM!  I was done with the old Emily.  Done being the girl who let food solve her emotions, done with being lazy, done with just being unhealthy and out of shape.  I was done.

The very next day, I went and joined Weight Watchers.  It was the best decision I had ever made in my life.  I had done countless diets (which usually lasted a week at the most) and this one I realized would make me have a LIFE change, which was what I desperately needed.  With my husband supporting me, I went full speed ahead, ready to conquer the world.

That was 8 months and 32 pounds ago.  I have gone from a size 10/12 to a size 2/4.  It is incredible going shopping now because clothes fit and look good.  My heartburn is gone.  My knees don’t hurt.  My body all over feels like a brand new person has been born.

I can’t say it has been an easy ride because there have been temptations, but I can say this… I feel strong and accomplished because I was able to finally get the weight off.  I have five more pounds to go, but I know I will get there with time.  What I do know is this- it has taken me 8 long months for this to come off, but I am proud because I did it the RIGHT way.  No diet pills, no fads.  I moved a lot more, watched my portions and ate healthy.  Plain and simple.  There is no fix to it, it is all about eating less, moving more. 

Why do I write all of this?  To tell you that once again, if I can do it… anyone can do it.  I went from a food obsessed girl to someone that does not let food control her anymore.  Yes, I still have cravings, but instead of wanting chocolate or SPKs, I tend to want tangerines or fruit.  I just want everyone to know, that if you are MENTALLY ready, you can do this.  But, in order to do it, you have to have the right mindset.  Unless you are ready up there, the rest of your body can’t do it.  I’ve seen too many people start over and over again, only to fail because they can’t wrap their mind around it.  You can have pizza, you can have nachos, etc.  But that doesn’t mean you have to eat a whole serving by yourself- have a slice and move on.  I don’t want to discourage anyone, I want you to know that you can do it.  You just have to have the right mindset and then I say – GO GET IT!  Make the healthy choices, while hard at first, the longer you stick with it and stop making excuses, the easier it becomes.  You will want to be healthy and make the right choices.  So- what is stopping you???

Yes, I may be obsessed with eating right and working out.  I still treat myself occasionally.  But, I love the way I feel and the way I look now.  For the first time in my life, I am the “skinny” girl, but I am also HEALTHY.  It has taken A LOT of hard work, discipline and dedication, but I am finally here!!!

So, if you want to change your life - stop making excuses.  Join the Y or Gold's Gym.  Go join Weight Watchers( I love the program).  Start by making small changes and push through your comfort level.  You will be surprised what you find deep inside of you!

                                            

This is me in December 2009 with my beautiful sister Stephanie.  This is before I underwent my life change!

This is me December 2010- One year later!  Loving my new life!

Cruisin' the Creekwalk!

Well... I was successful in completed the first of my New Year's Resolutions by competing and completing the Crusin' the Creekwalk 5k in beautiful Prattville, Alabama.  (Its about 10 miles from Montgomery).  My workout buddies Traci and Nicole also competed and I want to give a HUGE shout out to the two of them as well.  All three of us not only finished, but managed to beat the times we wanted to achieve.

In all of my years of working out, competing in sports and being active, I never imagined that I could be a runner.  I have to admit- I've tried, I really have, but I've always failed.  Either my knees hurt or it just wasn't fun.  However, in my recent quest to expand my gym time activities, I decided I would try running again.  I wasn't sure how it would go, but I soon realized that I fell quickly in love with it.

I never thought I would, especially the first day I climbed on the treadmill in December.  I could barely make it a half of a mile, but I just had this feeling inside me that I could do it. I was already in pretty decent shape (thank you spinning and zumba) but I was excited to add running into my routine.  With the new year rolling around the corner, I decided I would compete in not only a few 5k's, but I would also do a 8K and a half-marathon.

Thanks to my former PA area director and motivator, Mitzie Shafer, I realized that no matter how long it took me to do it, I could finish the 5k and finish it strong.  I worked hard and finally I can proudly say that I was able to run 5k straight.  I finally realized I had become a runner and I was addicted.  Nothing can quite describe the feeling of a runner's high.  You feel invincible and that feeling was exactly what I needed to have.  Running did not come easy to me, but it gave me a power that I had never had in myself.  It made me feel like I could honestly accomplish any feat that lay in front of me.  I was healthy and I was a runner.

So, this past Saturday- Jan. 22, in the bitter cold, I put on my running tights (that now fit- thank you weight watchers!) and I was ready to go.  My wonderful husband along with Traci's husband had come out to support us.  And we were ready to go.  I can't quite describe the feelings that were inside me that morning... I was shaking (was I cold or just that nervous?)... would I be able to run without stopping?... was I in over my head???... how in the world did I get myself into this??

9 am and the shotgun went off... and I started.... as I ran to the sounds of Nelly's Heart of a Champion and #1, with each step I took, I felt that power coming back into my body.  With each tenth of a mile, I got faster.  I got braver.  I could see the end in sight and I was going to do it.

My goal for the race was to finish in under 35 minutes... well... I can PROUDLY say that I crossed the finish line in 29:17.  I could not believe that I had finished in under 30 minutes.  I had climbed up that mountain and conquered it.  HECK YES!!!!

I was so excited, I couldn't believe it.  And, I was so cold, that despite the sweat running down my body, I thought I would freeze.  But that feeling of accomplishment- that is something I hope that everyone can accomplish.

The moral of this cruise is simple.  If I can run.  ANYONE can run.  You don't even need a gym- just a pair of shoes and a good, safe area to run.  And I highly recommend to anyone that wants to lose weight, get in shape, or just feel better about themselves.  Start running.  Start slow- take it .25 of a mile at a time.  But see what happens to yourself.  See how strong you can become.  See what changes your body can endure and how it adapts to your new physical routine.

Also, once you get an "addiction" to it... check out www.active.com, it is a great website where you can see all of the local races in your area and it also sends out weekly blasts with running tips.

So go on and do it.  GO RUN!!!!  YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

                                          Here I am - runner 257!  I finished!!!!

Trying this out...

I'm probably the last one to get on this band wagon of blogging, but I figured it was about time to start.  My life is pretty routine, but I absolutely love it.  I work, work out and love my husband.  I want to use this blog to talk about my experiences in life, but mainly my experiences on what it is to try to be "healthy" in the south. 

It started last July, after my beautiful wedding, and I realized one thing that was loud and clear.  I was fat and unhealthy.  I mean, hello- I plopped on 8 pounds during the honeymoon alone!  I realized then I had to do something and do it fast.  So I did and I cannot believe how far I've come.  I've dropped 31 pounds and will run in my first 5k this weekend.  I can't believe how far I've been able to come in 8 months... it's been a long, long ride, but somehow, along the way, my mindset changed and I am loving every second of being a healthy, fit woman.

I will try to talk about healthy articles, eating right and just how I've gotten it to work in the real world.  The few things I've learned are simple: eat less, move more... watch your portions... and discipline yourself in the gym.  Its just as easy to go get on an elliptical as it is to eat a doughnut- its just all a mind game.

So bear with me as I learn about blogging and hope that ya'll will share ideas and information with me as well!